PRO FOOTBALL

PRO FOOTBALL; Turner Steals Into Record Book

By DAVE ANDERSON,

Published: November 21, 1994

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 20—
Until today, Marcus Turner had been the Jets' nickel back nobody knew. Now he's in their record book.

With three interceptions, including a 90-yard touchdown return, in the 31-21 victory over the Vikings today, the 28-year-old defensive back now shares the Jets' record for most interceptions in one game with Dainard Paulson, Billy Baird, Rich Sowells and Erik McMillan.

"That's nice," Turner said quietly. "It's nice to be in the record book."

This is a quiet man, the father of two small children, a political science major at U.C.L.A. whose hobbies are remote-control cars and fishing. But his job is being the Jets' fifth defensive back when the opposing team is expected to pass.

That was the Vikings' situation in the first quarter when quarterback Warren Moon drilled a pass toward tight end Adrian Cooper.

"I was getting ready to tackle him," Turner said, "but he tipped the ball and it bounced into my hands. I was at the right place at the right time."

Snatching the ball at the Jets' 10-yard line, Turner sprinted along the sideline to give the Jets a quick 7-0 lead.

"I saw the open field and I just took off running," he said. "I was turning around looking for Quadry Ismail. I thought he could catch me, so I just didn't want to get run down by him. I mean the field just gets wider and wider and it seems like you're running forever."

Turner has had a knack for scoring touchdowns on interception returns. He had three at U.C.L.A. and another with the Arizona Cardinals before joining the Jets as a Plan B free agent in 1992. He also scored a touchdown for the Cardinals on a lateral after a teammate's interception.

"I just like getting in the end zone," he said.

Of the Jets' 11 interceptions this season, Turner suddenly has four, sharing the club lead with linebacker Mo Lewis.

"Two in college was the most I ever had in a game before," he said.

On the last play of the first half Turner snatched Moon's pass to wide receiver Cris Carter in a corner of the end zone, preserving the Jets' 17-14 lead. With the Vikings trying to narrow the Jets' 31-21 lead in the final quarter, he intercepted Moon again.

"The one at the end of the half, Warren tried to force it in there and it came right to me," Turner said. "The last one was an overthrow. I don't know who Warren was throwing to, but it came right to me."

Now in his sixth National Football League season, the 6-foot, 190-pound Turner was drafted in the 11th round in 1989 by the Kansas City Chiefs but didn't survive training camp. Picked up on waivers by the Cardinals, he was there for three seasons before joining the Jets.